SHINN HISTORICAL PARK AND ARBORETUM
Eliza Sim, wife of William Sim (who called himself “Captain”) sold 250 acres of the Ex-Mission San Jose land to Dr. Joseph Clark in 1856 at price of $2,280.00. Capt. Sim built the small cottage that is located at the park’s entrance from two schooners abandoned at Mayhew’s Landing in Newark during the Gold Rush. In 1860 he sold the ranch to James and Lucy Shinn. In partnership with Dr. Clark, they started one of the first nurseries in California. They imported rare trees and plants from the Far East and other parts of the world. Some of these specimens still remain in the gardens today.
The “Big House” was started in 1865 and completed in 1876. It is a rare Victorian Farm Style with Bavarian influence. The house is structurally sound even after several earthquakes and has never been destroyed by fire. The foundation is of fieldstone, brick and concrete. The joists, structural elements, casework and exterior are all constructed of heart redwood. The interior arrangement followed the typical Victorian plan of a 2-½-story rectangle with one-story back kitchen wing. Attic and four rooms on each floor surround a large central hall, with a full basement.
Joseph and Florence Mayhew Shinn constructed the Redwood Bungalow located to the right side of entrance to the park, in 1910. After Lucy died in 1916, Florence did extensive remodeling to the Big House. The family moved from the bungalow to the big house about 1922. Joseph Shinn passed away in 1946 while swimming in the rear by Shinn Ponds.
In 1962 the City of Fremont accepted the gift of a 4½-acre portion of the Historic Shinn Ranch from Florence Shinn with approval of her children. Florence continued to live in the house with a companion-housekeeper until November 1968, when She became seriously ill. She lived with her daughter, Elizabeth for a while in Marin. Florence passed away in 1971 in a nursing home.
THE SHINN FAMILY
When Dr. Joseph Clark first came to California he set up his practice in San Francisco. In 1856 he purchased the 250-acre ranch in Niles (now Fremont). He had written to his sister Lucy and her husband James Shinn and convinced them to come to and run the ranch. In 1856, James and Lucy left Texas, traveled by ship to Panama crossed the Isthmus and took another ship to San Francisco.
James and Lucy lived in the Sim Cottage while the “Big House” was being built. The Shinn House was completed in 1876. Although James and Lucy produced seven children, only three survived to adulthood.
These notable people were Charles Howard Shinn, author and naturalist; Milicent Washburn Shinn, author of Biography of a Baby, editor of Overland Monthly, and Child Psychologist; and Joseph Clark Shinn, Horticulturist and respected community leader.
Joseph Clark Shinn left U.C. Berkeley (1879) after one year to assist with the management of the Shinn Ranch. His father, James Shinn had become ill. In 1905, Joseph Shinn married Florence Mayhew at the Shinn Ranch. They had five children, Joseph,Jr., Allen, Lucy, Anna, and Elizabeth. Joseph Shinn was one of the founders of the Alameda Water District. Florence was actively involved with many civic organizations including starting a health clinic that is now Washington Hospital.
MISSION PEAK HERITAGE FOUNDATION
P.O. BOX 3078, FREMONT, CALIFORNIA 93539